Client
University of Tartu Natural History Museum
Location
Tartu, Estonia
Year
2016
Exhibition area
2,000 m²
Scope of work
Graphic design, CVI, multimedia design and production, project management.
Client
University of Tartu Natural History Museum
Location
Tartu, Estonia
Year
2016
Exhibition area
2,000 m²
Web page
https://www.natmuseum.ut.ee/
Scope of work
Graphic design, CVI, multimedia design and production, project management.
description
The Natural History Museum of the University of Tartu was founded in 1802 and it is the oldest museum building in Estonia. The collection of minerals, fossils and animals partially date back to 19th century as well. While the collections were impressive, the permanent exhibition was outdated – by the time the renovation works of the building began in 2011, the permanent exhibition had not changed in 40 years. The vision was to create a dignified but modern exhibition with digital solutions that would allow the collection to truly shine.
The aim of the new exhibition and learning environment for the museum is to create a cognitive and experience-based exhibition of the history of the natural sciences, including ground-breaking discoveries and findings. Visitors are invited to experience the fascinating world of nature and zoology and try to grasp its essence. The museum also wanted to unite the previously separated zoology and geology exhibitions and to bring in new areas of botany and mycology.
The Natural History Museum of the University of Tartu was founded in 1802 and it is the oldest museum building in Estonia. The collection of minerals, fossils and animals partially date back to 19th century as well. While the collections were impressive, the permanent exhibition was outdated – by the time the renovation works of the building began in 2011, the permanent exhibition had not changed in 40 years. The vision was to create a dignified but modern exhibition with digital solutions that would allow the collection to truly shine.
The aim of the new exhibition and learning environment for the museum is to create a cognitive and experience-based exhibition of the history of the natural sciences, including ground-breaking discoveries and findings. Visitors are invited to experience the fascinating world of nature and zoology and try to grasp its essence. The museum also wanted to unite the previously separated zoology and geology exhibitions and to bring in new areas of botany and mycology.
The exhibition “Earth – Life – Story” is divided into three parts: the history of the earth or the hall of geology, the diversity of life or the hall of zoology, botany and mycology and patterns of life of the hall of biomes, natural communities, the distribution of species and their relations. The spatial organisation of the exhibition was inspired by the desire to take the animals and birds back to the forest. With a tasteful balance of natural elements and clear design, the collection stands out while being supported by the background.
We created 16 educational and entertaining multimedia programmes for the exhibition. Ranging from an interactive explanation of a whale’s skeleton to species of humans, the multimedia programs support the collection with points of visitor interaction in the exhibition and deepening understanding of the natural world. Also worked out a comprehensive graphics solution for the museum that showcases the information in practical and user-friendly way and helps the visitors orientate in the exhibition.
The exhibition “Earth – Life – Story” is divided into three parts: the history of the earth or the hall of geology, the diversity of life or the hall of zoology, botany and mycology and patterns of life of the hall of biomes, natural communities, the distribution of species and their relations. The spatial organisation of the exhibition was inspired by the desire to take the animals and birds back to the forest. With a tasteful balance of natural elements and clear design, the collection stands out while being supported by the background.
We created 16 educational and entertaining multimedia programmes for the exhibition. Ranging from an interactive explanation of a whale’s skeleton to species of humans, the multimedia programs support the collection with points of visitor interaction in the exhibition and deepening understanding of the natural world. Also worked out a comprehensive graphics solution for the museum that showcases the information in practical and user-friendly way and helps the visitors orientate in the exhibition.
Our work includes numerous interactive exhibits. In the Game of Vanity, with which visitors can try on different hairstyles, capture images, and send it to themselves and friends. Blood Aquarium installation helps visitors understand how blood works – a monitor displaying a video of blood flow shows elaborate enlarged models of blood components and allows the visitor to explore what goes on inside blood vessels. The Eye Room introduces the eye, the centre of our visual understanding of the world. The walls of the room are covered with mirrors causing reflections and focal play, and the displays explain how does the sense of sight work in humans.
Our work includes numerous interactive exhibits. In the Game of Vanity, with which visitors can try on different hairstyles, capture images, and send it to themselves and friends. Blood Aquarium installation helps visitors understand how blood works – a monitor displaying a video of blood flow shows elaborate enlarged models of blood components and allows the visitor to explore what goes on inside blood vessels. The Eye Room introduces the eye, the centre of our visual understanding of the world. The walls of the room are covered with mirrors causing reflections and focal play, and the displays explain how does the sense of sight work in humans.
